Non-bouncing hinged flare baffle

ABSTRACT

The present invention concerns a hinged flare baffle for use in a reflex camera. It incorporates a detent mechanism that inhibits the bouncing of the flare baffle without positively locking the flare baffle in its uppermost position. A spring rapidly rotates the flare baffle upward against a stop. As the flare baffle reaches the stop, the detent engages a cavity to prevent the flare baffle&#39;&#39;s bouncing back from the stop and into the camera&#39;&#39;s optical path due to the impact. A capping plate presses down on the flare baffle over-powering the detent mechanism and causing it to disengage as the reflex camera changes to a focusing mode of operation.

United States Patent ([1 1 DeJesus [111 Q 3,774,517 [4 1 Nov'.;27, 1973 NON-BOUNCING HINGED FLARE 'BAFFLE [75] Inventor: Charles De Jesus, Watertown, Mass.

[73] Assignee: Polaroid Corporation, Cambridge,

22 Filed: Apr. 24, 1972: 21 Appl. No.: 246,890-

s2 u.s.c|.....; ..95/42 51 Int. Cl. oo'sbi's/iz [58] Field of Search 95/42,.DIG. 2;

[56] ReierencesCited." I i UNITED STATES PATENTS I Y 3,447,437 6/1969- Tiffany..'...." 95 42 3,601,027 8/1971 0n'o....-...;.. 95/42 2,388,021 10/1945 Thomas .1: 1 6/-191 ExaMiner-Samuel S. Matthews Assistant Examiner-Michael D. Harris Attorney-Frederick H. Brustmanet al.

' 57 ABSTRACT The present invention concerns a'hinged flare bafi'le for use in a reflex camera. ltincorporates a detent mechanism that inhibits the bouncing of the flare baffle without positively locking the flare battle in its uppermost position. A spring rapidly rotates the flare baffle upward against a stop. As the flare baffle reaches the stop, the detent engages a cavity to prevent the flare bafiles bouncing. back. from the stop A and into the'cameras optical path-due to the impact. A capping plate presses down on the flare baffle overpowering the detent mechanism and causing it to disengage as the reflex camera'changes to a focusing vmode ofoperation.

-7 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures 7 NON-BOUNCING HINGED FLARE BAFFLE BACKGROUND OF INVENTION The present invention relates to an improvement for a hinged flare baffle, for use in a reflexcamera, of the type described in copending U. S. Pat. application, Ser. No. 150,675, filed June 7, 1971, and assigned to Polaroid Corporation.

The flare bafile described v is hinged so it will rotate upwardly from a first position until it stops at a second position. In the first position, it fon'ns a part of a light seal that prevents light from striking a photosensitive surface on a film unit stored ina cassette inside the reflex camera. In the second position, the flare baffle prevents light entering through the cameras objective lens from reaching the film unit except via a reflex mirror inside the camera.

A capping plate, also protecting the photosensitive surface, holds the flare baffle down in the first position. When the capping plate uncovers the photosensitive surface to allow taking a photograph, it releases the flare baffle. A spring rapidly rotates the flare-bafi'le upward to the second position.- At its uppermost point of rotation, the flare baffle strikes against a stop, situated on a frame member of thereflex camera, that prevents it from rotating past the second position.

Under certain circumstances, the impact of the flare baffle against the stop causes the flare baffle to bounce back from the stop far enough for the outermost edge of the flare baffle to enter the optical path of the reflex camera. i

in that patent application bearing blockQThis causes the detent to enter the cavity as they align with each othenThe detent and cavity are positioned so they will fully engage when the flare cavity. Therefore, the flare baffle will not bounce backward to obstruct the camera's field during an exposure.

The flare bafile can be moved downward when desired by applying additional force, such as provided by the return of a capping plate to its lower position, to

The proper sequence of operations for the reflex camera causes the shutter to open just after the capping plate uncovers the photosensitive surface. Unless the reflex camera contains some means for quickly arresting the bouncing of the flare baffle', or for preventing the flare baffle from bouncing at all, theoutermost edge of the flare baffle'might interfere with the optical.

path when the shutter opens, thereby obscuring a portion of the photographic field. 1

' SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides ameansfor preventing the flare bafile from bouncing backward when it I strikes the stop limiting its upward motion and thereby flare baffle. They fit over the coaxial shafts so as to rotatably support the flarebaffle on the shafts. The bear ing tab proximate the support with the cavity has a detent extending axially toward the face of that bearing block so the detent might engage the cavity.

A coil spring, mounted on one of the shafts, rotates the flare baffle from its lowermost position to its uppermost position whence it strikes against the bearing blocks. The bearing blocks or supports act as stops for the flare baffle at the end of itsupward rotation. The coil spring also urges the flare'baffle in an axial direction so the detent bears against the face of the adjacent overcome the engaging force due to the spring.

I Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a means for inhibiting the bouncing of a flare bafile in a reflex'carnera.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for locking a rotatable flare baffle in its uppermost position against an impact momentum force tending to make the flare baffle bounce."

- DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of the present inventionwill be better appreciated and ing to the present invention in its lowermost position;

and

. gaging acavity in a bearing block, together with arrows obscuring'part of the picturefonned in the reflex cam- 22 extends approximatelythe length and width of the housing 14's interior. A large rectangular opening 24 in indicating the. principal movements of a. flare baffle.-

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 illustrates the relation of the flare baffle 10 to the other components of the reflex camera 12. The

components of principal interest to an understanding of the present disclosure are in the housing 14.

The housing 14 contains an objective lens 18 in a forward wall and a filrn cassette 20 situate inside the housing 14' below a frame member 22. The frame member the frame member'22 permits light to reach the photosensitive surface-of the uppermost'film unit 26 in the cassette 20. I

- Between photographic exposures, a capping plate 28 covers the'opening 24 toprotect the uppermost film unit 26 from inadvertent exposure to light. For this purpose, it overlaps and interacts with the flare bafile 10 as described in the aforementioned U. S. Pat. application, Ser. No. 150,675. The capping: plate 28 pivots about an axis 30'located at the rearend of the frame member 22. The upward rotation of the capping plate FIG. 3 illustrates in detail a detent preparatory to enflare baffle from rotating upwardly so far as to interfere with light ray 38. However, in the absence of the present invention, the impact of the flare baffle 10 against the stop 34causes the flare baffle 10 to bounce backward and interfere with the light ray 36 while the cameras shutter (not shown) is .open for an exposure.

The means that inhibits the flare baffle from bouncing backward appears clearly in FIG. 2. Two opposed bearing blocks 40 and 42 attached to the upper surface of the frame element 22 pivotally support the flare baf-' fle 10 on a pair of axle shafts 44 and 46 by means of two tabs 48 and 50 attached to the flare baffle 10. The rear faces of the bearing blocks 42 and 44 function as the stops 34 and 34' that arrest the upward rotation of the flare baffle 10. The two tabs 48 and 50 attached to the forward, or lower, edge of the flare baffle l0 rotatably engage the axle shafts 44 and 46. The tab 48 has a detent 52 protruding from it toward the inside face'54 of the bearing block 40. The detent 52 is formed, in this embodiment, by bending outwards a part of the tab 48. One feature of the detent 52 to'be'noted is a ramp 56 between the side of the tab 48 and the apex 57 of the detent 52. The detent 52 is a major element in the means for preventing the flare bafile 10 from bouncing backwards off thestops 34 and 34' intothe cameras optical path. Providing the ramp 56 on the detent 52 permits the flare baffle 10 to be purposefully contrarotated into its lowermost position against the forces that, in conjunction with the detent 52, prevent its bouncing due to the impact of it striking the stops 34 and 34'.

The forces needed to rotate the flare baffle 10 up- Under the influence of the-resulting impact, the flare baffle 10 tends to bounce backwards and contrarotate. However, contra-rotation (rotation opposite the direction indicated by the arrow 62) requires that the ramp 56 slide past the edge 64. To do so requires the flare baffle 10 to move axially, opposite the direction indicated by the arrow 68, and, consequently, to compress the spring 60.

The impact that causes the'backward bounce does .not impart sufficient energy to the flare bafile 10 for compressing the spring 60. Therefore, the ramp 56 will not slide past the. edge 64 and the flare baffle 10,

though it might vibrate, cannot rotate backwards and obscure a portion of the camerasfield-during exposure.

Though the detent 52 and its'ramp56 prevent the flare baffle 10 from rotating backwarddue to its impact against the stops'34 and 34', it can be lowered. When the capping plate 28 returns to its lower position to protect .the next film unit from inadvertent exposure to light, it bears down on a pair of bumpers '12 and 74, on the upper ends of the flare baffle 10. A drive unit (not shown) thatoperates the capping plate 28 has sufficient power to press the capping plate down, rotating the flare baffle 10 backwards and sliding the ramp 56 past the edge 64 despite the spring 60. p

The explanation set forth above explains, as currently understood, the theory of operation of the mechanism instant invention may be practised in a manner otherwise than specifically described herein.

wards are provided by acoil spring 60 wound around the axle shaft 46. One end of the spring 60 connects to the'flare bafl'le l0 and the-other end to bearing block 42, the frame member 22, or some other stationary element in the reflex camera 12. Pre-tensioning the spring 60, at its assembly with the other elements of the mechbly with the other elements, urge the flare baflle 10in an axial direction causing the detent 52 to bear against the face 54.

Referring to FIG. 3, it is apparant that the detent 52 slides'across the face 54 as the flare baffle 10 rotates upwardly, in the direction of the arrow 62, until the apex 57 reaches the edge 64 of a cavity 66 in the face 54. As the apex 57 passes beyond the edge 64, the compressive energy stored in the spring 60 (not shown in FIG. 5) moves the flare baffle 10 axially in the direction of the arrow 68. Further rotation and axial movement of the flare bafile 10 causes the detent 52 to enter the cavity 66. Then, at its full upward rotation, the flare baffle 10 strikes against the stop 34 as the detent 52 fully engages the cavity 66.

I claim:

1. In-acamera. having a frame member with an opening in it so a real image can be formed on'a photosensitive surface situate behind said frame member; two bearing blocks spaced apartfrom each other alongan edge of said opening; at least one axle shaft, concentric with an axis of rotation extending between said bearing blocks, attached to one of said heating blocks; a flare baffle mounted so as torotate on said axle shaft about said axis; a spring for rotating said flare baffle upwards; and a stop for arresting the upward rotation of said flare battle in a predetermined position, the improvement comprising: I

damping means for inhibiting the bouncing of said said detent when said flare baffle is situate against Y said stop, said spring mounted for urging said flare baffle in an axial-direction and for causing said detent to enter said cavity. 7 I 3. The improved camera described in claim 2, wherein said damping means further comprises a ramp,

connected to said detent so as to bear against an edge of said cavity,rfor axially moving said flare-baffle to overpower the axial urging of said spring, when said flare baffle is rotated contrary to the direction of rotation effected by said spring, so as to withdraw said detent from said cavity.

. 4. A damper in a photographic camera to restrain a flare baffle, pivotally mounted between two supports, from-bouncing when it strikes against astop, comprismg: I

a cavity in one of said supports;

a detent attached to said flare baffle and positioned to fully engage said cavity when said flare baffle reaches said stop;

spring means for urging said detent into full engagement with said cavity; and

disengaging means, on said detent and bearing against an edge of said cavity, for withdrawing said I detent from said cavity when a predetermined force rotates said flare baffle backwards from said stop.

5. The damper described in claim 4 wherein said disengaging means is a ramp integral with said detent.

6. In a camera having a frame member, the improvereaches a predetermined position; and latching means for minimizing the bouncing of said flareb'affle due tov its; impact against said stop means, said latching means including a detent attached to said flare baffle for rotation therewith,

and a cavity in said frame member for receiving said detent as said flare baffle approaches its up- I a flare baffle;

at least one tab, positioned for pivoting about said axle, attached to said flare baffle;

stop means, attached to said frame member, for limit ing the upward rotation of said flare baffle;

a cavity formed in a portion of said frame member forreceiving a detent;

spring means for rotating said flare baffle upwards to and against said stop means;

a detent, attached to said flare baffle and located so as to fully engage said cavity when said flare bafile has rotated to itsimaximum upward position against said stop means; and v spring means for urging said detent into said cavity so as to inhibit the contra-rotation of said flare baffle due to its impact against said stop. 

1. In a camera having a frame member with an opening in it so a real image can be formed on a photosensitive surface situate behind said frame member; two bearing blocks spaced apart from each other along an edge of said opening; at least one axle shaft, concentric with an axis of rotation extending between said bearing blocks, attached to one of said bearing blocks; a flare baffle mounted so as to rotate on said axle shaft about said axis; a spring for rotating said flare baffle upwards; and a stop for arresting the upward rotation of said flare baffle in a predetermined position, the improvement comprising: damping means for inhibiting the bouncing of said flare baffle when it strikes said stop.
 2. The improved camera described in claim 1, wherein said damping means comprises: a detent attached to said flare baffle; and a cavity, within an element connected to said frame member, positioned to receive and fully engage said detent when said flare baffle is situate against said stop, said spring mounted for urging said flare baffle in an axial direction and for causing said detent to enter said cavity.
 3. The improved camera described in claim 2, wherein said damping means further comprises a ramp, connected to said detent so as to bear against an edge of said cavity, for axially moving said flare baffle to overpower the axial urging of said spring, when said flare baffle is rotated contrary to the direction of rotation effected by said spring, so as to withdraw said detent from said cavity.
 4. A damper in a photographic camera to restrain a flare baffle, pivotally mounted between two supports, from bouncing when it strikes against a stop, comprising: a cavity in one of said supports; a detent attached to said flare baffle and positioned to fully engage said cavity when said flare baffle reaches said stop; spring means for urging said detent into full engagement with said cavity; and disengaging means, on said detent and bearing against an edge of said cavity, for withdrawing said detent from said cavity when a predetermined force rotates said flare baffle backwards from said stop.
 5. The damper described in claim 4 wherein said disengaging means is a ramp integral with said detent.
 6. In a camera having a frame member, the improvement comprising: a flare baffle pivotably attached to said frame member; spring means for rotating said flare baffle upwardly toward a position where it will block unwanted light rays; stop means for arresting the rotation of said flare baffle when the edge furthest from its axis of rotation reaches a Predetermined position; and latching means for minimizing the bouncing of said flare baffle due to its impact against said stop means, said latching means including a detent attached to said flare baffle for rotation therewith, and a cavity in said frame member for receiving said detent as said flare baffle approaches its uppermost position and for inhibiting the contra-rotation of said flare baffle, if it should bounce, wherein said spring means urges said detent into said cavity.
 7. A reflex camera, comprising: a frame member; at least one axle attached to said frame member; a flare baffle; at least one tab, positioned for pivoting about said axle, attached to said flare baffle; stop means, attached to said frame member, for limiting the upward rotation of said flare baffle; a cavity formed in a portion of said frame member for receiving a detent; spring means for rotating said flare baffle upwards to and against said stop means; a detent, attached to said flare baffle and located so as to fully engage said cavity when said flare baffle has rotated to its maximum upward position against said stop means; and spring means for urging said detent into said cavity so as to inhibit the contra-rotation of said flare baffle due to its impact against said stop. 